| abstract |
Disclosed is a process for purifying 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid produced by disproportionation and more efficiently recycling byproduct dipotassium salts which includes the steps of: a) Contacting an aqueous solution containing the disalt of 2,6-NDA(2,6-K2NDA) with carbon dioxide to form as a precipitate the monopotassium salt of 2,6-NDA (KHNDA) and an aqueous solution containing 2,3-KHNDA, K2NDA, and potassium bicarbonate; b) Disproportionating said monopotassium salt (KHNDA) to form 2,6-NDA and an aqueous solution containing K2NDA, and potassium bicarbonate; c) Separating said 2,6-NDA and concentrating said aqueous solution containing K2NDA and potassium bicarbonate by reverse osmosis. |